Choosing the Best Labs and Products for Your Photography Business

Here’s something most new photographers don’t realize: the products you offer clients are just as important as the photos you take.

If you hand over beautiful images but suggest clients print them at Walmart, you’re not only selling your work short but also setting them up for disappointment. When those prints fade or curl, your client doesn’t blame the paper; they blame the photographer.

The labs and products you choose are a direct reflection of your professionalism, your brand, and the value of your services.

The right products reinforce your expertise and give clients a tangible reminder of the experience you created. This post will guide you through how to choose wisely so your products match the quality of your work.

• Perceived value: High-quality products elevate your brand and your pricing power.
  
  

• Client satisfaction: People feel more connected to their photos when they can hold them in their hands.
  
  

• Longevity: Archival-quality prints and albums last for generations. Cheap prints fade fast.
  
  

• Profitability: Physical products increase your average sale and move you beyond “shoot and burn” pricing.
  
  

Offering the right products turns photography into an experience, not just a transaction.

Before you decide what to sell or which lab to use, think about who you’re serving.

Weddings: Albums, parent albums, wall art, and thank-you cards.

Families: Wall galleries, framed prints, and holiday cards.

Seniors: Albums, folios, and graduation announcements.

Branding and Headshots: Digital files paired with framed wall art for offices.

Your product line should fit the lifestyle of your clients, not just what you personally like.

Not all labs are created equal.

Professional labs are built to serve photographers, not the general public.

They understand color calibration, longevity, and presentation, and that makes all the difference.

Trusted Professional Labs in the U.S.

• Miller’s Professional Imaging: My personal go-to lab for over two decades. Their quality, service, and consistency have set the bar for professional printing.
  
  

• Nations Photo Lab: Excellent for beginners and a solid backup option when you need affordability with professional results.
  
  

• WHCC (White House Custom Color): A wide product selection and user-friendly ordering platform.
  
  

• ProDPI: Consistent color accuracy and great for album work.
  
  

• Bay Photo: Offers creative options such as metal, acrylic, and wood prints for more unique displays.
  
  

When needed, I also use specialty labs for custom pieces and one-of-a-kind finishes, but Miller’s remains my benchmark for professional standards,

Pro Tip: Order sample prints from multiple labs. Compare color, paper texture, and customer service before making your final decision.

You don’t need to offer everything under the sun. Start with 3–5 core products that represent your brand well and expand over time.

Core Products for Photographers:

• Prints: Standard wall sizes such as 8x10 or 11x14.
  
  

• Albums: The signature product for weddings, portraits, and families.
  
  

• Wall art: Framed, canvas, or metal pieces that elevate the client experience.
  
  

• Cards: Holiday, thank-you, or announcement cards that add value.
  
  

Start simple. Quality over quantity will always win.

Yes, professional labs cost more, but they also help you command higher prices.

Consumer labs: $0.20–$1 per print. Poor longevity and weak color control.

Professional labs: $5–$10+ per print. Archival quality, accurate color, and premium presentation.

Clients aren’t comparing your prints to Shutterfly or Costco. They’re investing in heirlooms and trusting you to deliver something that lasts.

The more personalized your products, the more clients will value them.

• Custom album designs: Layouts unique to each client.
  
  

• Framing options: Match their home aesthetic.
  
  

• Engraving or embossing: Add names, dates, or quotes.
  
  

• Collection bundles: Combine wall art, albums, and digitals for an all-inclusive experience.
  
  

Consumer Psychology Research Center (2022) found that personalization increases perceived product value by 20–30%. When clients feel something is made just for them, they’re more likely to buy and to cherish it.

The best labs are more than suppliers. They’re partners in your business success.

• Contact lab reps to learn about best-selling products and trends.
  
  

• Join photography forums or trade groups to hear peer recommendations.
  
  

• Attend expos and trade shows to see, touch, and compare products firsthand.
  
  

When you have a strong relationship with your lab, you gain access to faster turnaround times, product previews, and special promotions that can directly impact your profitability.

You can’t sell what your clients can’t see. Physical samples are powerful selling tools.

• Studio samples: Order albums, canvases, and framed prints to display in your studio or client meeting space.
  
  
  

• Reveal sessions: Use products as part of your in-person sales appointments.
  
  
  

• Behind the scenes: Record unboxing videos or showcase product close-ups in your blog or newsletter.
  
  
  

According to the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), photographers who show physical samples during sales sessions increase their average client order by 40–60%.

You are not a retailer. You’re an artist and a service-based business.

• Use a 3x–4x markup on lab costs to account for your time, editing, packaging, and profit.
  
  

• Bundle products into collections to encourage higher sales averages.
  
  

• Offer incentives for upgrades, such as “Spend $XXX more and receive a complimentary mini album.”
  
  

Your pricing should reflect the value of your work, not the cost of your materials.

• Offering too many options: Decision fatigue kills sales.
  
  

• Using consumer labs: Clients notice when quality is low.
  
  

• Skipping education: Explain why professional prints last longer and look better.

• Underpricing: Products should increase your profit, not just break even.
  
  

• PPA data shows photographers who use in-person sales and product offerings increase average revenue by 40–60%.
  
  

• SmugMug (2022) found clients are 50% more likely to purchase prints or albums when they see physical samples first.

• Consumer Psychology Research Center (2022) reported personalization increases product value perception by up to 30%.
  
  

Choosing the right labs and products isn’t about following trends. It’s about delivering on your promise of quality and professionalism.

Your clients trust you to create timeless images that last — your products should reflect that.

Start with a few core offerings. Partner with professional labs like Miller’s Professional Imaging, Nations Photo Lab, or another reputable provider. Show your work in print, personalize your products, and price confidently.

The products you deliver are not just physical items; they’re an extension of your brand, your craft, and your reputation.

Sources

• Professional Photographers of America (PPA). (2023). Sales Data & Client Experience Reports. https://www.ppa.com/
  
  

• SmugMug. (2022). Photography Sales Insights. https://www.smugmug.com/
  
  

• Consumer Psychology Research Center. (2022). The Power of Personalization in Product Sales. https://www.apa.org/
  
  

• Nations Photo Lab. (2023). Product Guide. https://www.nationsphotolab.com/